6 2 / 2023 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
Multiple crises , health of the elderly and ocean biodiversity
G7 Science academies present statements to Japan ’ s Prime Minister at G7 summit
On 7 March 2023 the Japanese Prime Minister , Fumio Kishida , ( centre ) received representatives of the G7 Academies at his official residence . During this visit they presented three joint statements to the Prime Minister , which were jointly prepared by the National Academies of Sciences . The main topics addressed included multiple crises , the health of the elderly and ocean biodiversity .
Image : Japan Prime Minister ’ s Office
At the Science7 Summit in Tokyo , Japan on 7 and 8 March , G7 Academies presented three joint statements to the Japanese Prime Minister , Fumio Kishida . The recommendations for the G7 summit of Heads of State and Government in Hiroshima , Japan on 19 to 21 May focus on multiple crises , health of an ageing society and ocean biodiversity . Leopoldina was represented by its President Gerald Haug ML .
The G7 Academies , which , in addition to Leopoldina , include the national Academies of Sciences of France , the United Kingdom , Italy , Japan , Canada and the USA , have joined forces in the Science7 format to develop science-based statements on urgent global challenges . Leopoldina members have played a key role in this process which included an online conference of experts . The presentation of statements to the G7 President laid the founda- tions for as many scientific findings and evidence-based recommendations as possible to flow into the political decision-making of the G7 .
As a result of climate change , the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia ‘ s war of aggression against Ukraine we are in a situation where there have been multiple crises at the same time or in quick succession , which have exacerbated one another . In one of their three statements , the G7 Academies emphasise the urgent need for a coordinated and long-term approach to this cluster of crises .
Another important topic is the health of an ageing society . The G7 Academies are asking for more attention to be paid to the health of elderly people . Health systems need to be better adapted to the needs of increasingly ageing populations . Future challenges will relate to the fact that the proportion of people over 60 years of age is increasing in many countries .
Climate change is having a considerable impact on the oceans – Leopoldina President Gerald Haug addressed this problem in his speech at the Science7 Summit . Warming , acidification and changing ocean currents are increasingly threatening the biodiversity of the world ’ s oceans . The G7 Academies recommend establishing protected marine areas to protect sensitive ecosystems and endangered species , as well as rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change and limit its impact on the oceans .
■ KK , CHW
S7 Statements
“ Addressing systemic risks in a changing climate ”
“ Better health and wellbeing of older people ”
“ The ocean and its biodiversity ”